Washington, July 12 : International envoy Kofi Annan has asked the UN Security Council to send a message to the Syrian Government and the opposition that there will be ''consequences'' if they do not comply with demands for an immediate ceasefire, a UN diplomat said.

Russia and China, key allies of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and veto-wielding council members, have blocked repeated attempts by the United States and its European allies to even threaten ''consequences'', a diplomatic code word for sanctions.

According to News 24, the diplomat, on conditions of anonymity, said that the council should insist on the implementation of its resolutions, including Annan''s six-point peace plan.

The plan calls for an immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of heavy weapons from populated areas by the Syrian Government.

The UN had sent a 300-strong unarmed observer mission for 90 days to oversee the cessation of violence and monitor implementation of the Annan plan.

It was forced to withdraw from key conflict areas because of the escalating violence.

Another UN diplomat said UN peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous told the council that the 300 observers should remain in the country. (ANI)